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Please provide me with number of IELTS test-takers in Russia and Ukraine (separately) in 2014/2015/2016
Hello and thank you for asking Wonder! I understand that you are seeking the number of IELTS test takers in each Russia and Ukraine, for the years 2014-2016. In short, this information is not something that is made publicly available, even after checking numerous different sources. However, the IELTS site receives almost 100,000 visits from people in Russia each year and there is growing interest in learning English.
METHODOLOGY
During my research, I found that these figures are not released, by official or unofficial sources. I searched IELTS' site extensively, the British Council's site, compiled statistics, related publications, education sites, testing center sites, government sites, and others. I also looked for information in English, Russian, and Ukrainian.
The main uses for this test are for migrating to a new country, entering a higher education institution with English-language requirements, and for work. It is accepted for all three of the purposes in "Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK". In the US, it is accepted for the purposes of studying and working. It is accepted in other places, too, but these are the major users. Using this information, I began to search out how many people from Russia and the Ukraine go to these countries for these purposes. That research led more to historical data and overall totals, rather than those that would give a reasonable annual figure. Additionally, in the sources that did give specific figures, they were for the "top" countries, of which Russia and the Ukraine were not included.
The data I was able to locate has been included below.
TEST TAKER DATA
For context, on the IELTS website, they receive around 295,215 visits per month, or 3,542,580 per year. Of this traffic, Russia makes up 2.8% of it. This is equal to 8,266 Russian visitors a month and 99,192 per year. The Ukraine does not rank highly enough have its own figures provided.
Students International is a network of companies that help with students studying abroad, working in both Russia and the Ukraine. As a part of what they do, they help with IELTS testing, with 5 centers and regular testing sessions in over 30 cities in the two countries. They offer 150 testing dates every year, but they do not give details on how many people actually attend each of those.
People in Russia tend to score 6-6.5 on the test on average (20% for 6 and 20% for 6.5). This is the same case as those in the Ukraine, but with 22% earning a 6 and 23% earning a 6.5. More people in Russia earn the highest scores than people in the Ukraine do. People in Russia score highest in the listening and reading sections, with the weakest score in writing. In the Ukraine, people score the highest in reading and the weakest in writing.
While demand for IELTS testing has been on the rise, neither the Ukraine or Russia are areas that have some of the strongest demand. Instead, these are "China, India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Turkey". In Russia, this may change moving forward. A survey showed that over 90% of the people surveyed in Russia believe that learning a foreign language is important, with almost 100% of those in large cities believing that. When it comes to the language that is considered to be the most useful, 92% said English. The benefits of learning English to get better jobs is being more recognized in the country.
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Overall, there is no data that gives these specific testing figures, from either official or unofficial sources, even after extensive research. Available data does show, though, that the Ukraine and Russia are not major countries when it comes to the demand for IELTS testing.
Thank you for asking Wonder! Please let us know if we can help you with anything else!